At last, it’s May! The weather is starting to warm up and we can finally start going out in our gardens again and brushing away the winter blues. What better way to celebrate than by hosting a spring murder mystery party! At Masters of Mystery we have a great selection of games, that will work great either indoors or outdoors, so have a browse and pick something you like! To find some fantastic spring cocktails you can view last month’s blog “MURDEROUSLY REFRESHING: SPRING COCKTAILS FOR YOUR MYSTERY PARTY” for some inspiration. For the next part of this blog we'll share some easy-to-follow spring recipes that will impress your guests while keeping the focus on solving the crime. From appetizers to desserts, we've got you covered with tasty dishes that'll make your party a hit.
Appetizers and Canapes
Smoked Salmon Cucumber Bites: Cut a cucumber into rounds and top each with a dollop of cream cheese, a slice of smoked salmon, and a sprinkle of fresh dill or chives and serve on a platter.
Devilled Eggs with Bacon and Chives: Prepare classic devilled eggs by mixing hard-boiled egg yolks with mayonnaise, mustard and a splash of vinegar. Fold in crispy bacon bits and chopped chives and serve.
Herbed Goat Cheese Stuffed Mushrooms: Fill button mushrooms with a mixture of goat cheese, minced garlic, chopped herbs (such as parsley, thyme, and chives), and breadcrumbs. Bake in the oven until golden brown and serve.
Crudité Platter with Hummus or Ranch Dip: Arrange a variety of fresh vegetables, (such as carrot sticks, cucumber slices, bell pepper strips and cherry tomatoes) on a platter. Serve alongside hummus or ranch dip.
Tomato mozzarella Skewers: Thread cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella balls, and basil leaves onto skewers. Drizzle with balsamic vinegar and sprinkle with salt and pepper and serve alongside other dishes.
Starters and Sides
Honey Glazed Carrots: Coat peeled and sliced carrots with olive oil and honey and place on a baking sheet. Roast in the oven until tender and caramelized for a sweet and savoury side dish that pairs perfectly with any spring meal.
Spring Vegetable Quiche: Line a pie crust with sautéed spring vegetables such as asparagus, peas, spinach, and leeks. Pour over a mixture of beaten eggs, milk, grated cheese, and chopped fresh herbs. Bake until the quiche is set and golden brown.
Pasta with Lemon and Herbs: Cook some pasta in a pan of boiling water, add a pinch of salt. Once cooked pour into a bowl and then add, lemon zest, chopped herbs, and crumbled goat cheese and mix together.
Spring Pea and Mint Soup Shooters: Blend fresh peas with vegetable broth, mint leaves, garlic, and a splash of cream until smooth. Serve in shot glasses or in small cups.
Asparagus Tart: Roll out puff pastry dough and spread with a mixture of ricotta cheese, lemon zest, and chopped fresh herbs. Arrange blanched asparagus pieces on top and bake until the pastry is golden brown.
Mains
Grilled Salmon with Mango Salsa: Season salmon fillets with salt, pepper, and a squeeze of lime juice. Grill until cooked through and top with a vibrant salsa made from diced mango, red onion, cilantro, jalapeño, and lime juice. Serve with steamed rice or quinoa for a light and flavorful meal.
Spring Pea Risotto: Sauté finely chopped shallots in butter until softened, then add Arborio rice and cook until translucent. Gradually add warm chicken or vegetable broth, stirring constantly, until the rice is creamy and cooked through. Stir in fresh peas, grated Parmesan cheese, and chopped mint before serving.
Lemon Herb Roast Chicken: Rub a whole chicken with a mixture of minced garlic, chopped fresh herbs (such as rosemary, thyme, and parsley), lemon zest, salt, and pepper. Roast in the oven until golden and cooked through, basting with lemon juice and olive oil for extra flavour. Serve with roasted vegetables and potatoes or a side salad.
Spinach and Ricotta Stuffed Shells: spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom of a baking dish and in a pan cook pasta shells. In a bowl, mix ricotta cheese, spinach, parmesan cheese, egg, salt, and pepper. Stuff each pasta shell with the ricotta mixture and place in the dish. Pour the remaining marinara sauce and sprinkle with mozzarella cheese. Cover with foil and bake until the cheese is bubbly and golden.
Balsamic Glazed Pork Chops: Season pork chops with salt and pepper on both sides. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add pork chops and sear until golden brown on both sides. Remove pork chops from the skillet and set aside. In the same skillet, add garlic, balsamic vinegar and honey and stir. Return pork chops to the skillet and coat them with the balsamic glaze. Serve the pork chops drizzled with the remaining glaze from the pan.
Desserts
Lemon Blueberry Pound Cake: Mix together flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, eggs, melted butter, lemon zest, and fresh blueberries until combined. Pour the batter into a loaf pan and bake until golden. Once cooled, slice and serve.
Spring Berry Pavlova: Whip egg whites with sugar until stiff peaks form, then spread the mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet in a round shape. Bake until crisp on the outside and marshmallow-like on the inside. Top with whipped cream and a selection of fresh berries, such as strawberries, raspberries, and blackberries.
Raspberry Almond Tart: Preheat your oven and then roll out the pie crust and press into a tart pan; trim the edges. In a mixing bowl, beat almond paste, sugar, and butter until smooth. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Mix in flour and salt. Spread the almond mixture evenly into the crust. Press raspberries into the almond mixture. Bake for about 35-40 minutes or until the filling is set and golden. Let cool and dust with powdered sugar before serving.
Strawberry Shortcake: Preheat your oven and then in a large bowl, combine flour, 3 tablespoons sugar, baking powder, and salt. Cut in butter until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in milk and vanilla until just combined. Drop dough in spoonful’s onto a baking sheet, sprinkle with sugar, and bake for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Allow the shortcakes to cool slightly, then split them in half horizontally. Layer the bottom half with whipped cream and strawberries, then top with the other half.
These spring recipes will offer a delightful way to celebrate the season, whether you're hosting a casual gathering with friends or a formal dinner party, these recipes are sure to impress and delight your guests. So pick our game, pick your dishes, pick your drinks and savour the flavours of the season. Cheers to good food, good company, good murders and the joys of spring!
